Category: Home Automation

As a subset of Gadgets & Technology, this section is dedicated to Smart Home discussions. Look here for reviews and discussions about home automation. Devices and smart phone apps can make our lives simpler, easier, and better. But do they actually achieve that goal? Find out which ones rise above the rest!

In recent history I’ve spent time testing & reviewing various WiFi cameras for home security. All of those devices I’ve blogged about before required a nearby power outlet to operate. In this post we’re shifting gears and looking at an option that is entirely wireless: the 100% Wire-Free Arlo Smart Home Security Camera System.

Shopping for smart home automation products can feel a bit like having lunch at a buffet. You can be easily overwhelmed by too many options to pick from, feeling unsure about what will taste good together. But unlike a fixed-price all-you-can-eat buffet, these smart home devices can get really expensive, really fast, so choosing the right ones is quite important. In this article we’ve taken on the task of taste-testing all these delicious pieces of technology for you, to provide you a curated review of what works, and what doesn’t. Check out the BEST HOME AUTOMATION PLATFORMS as we compare Apple HomeKit vs Samsung SmartThings, vs Wink Connected Home Hub vs Insteon Hub Pro vs Amazon Echo vs Belkin WeMo, and much, much more!

Imagine being able to see who is ringing your front door, even when you’re not home. How amazing would it be to have a two-way conversation with that person? How about the added layer of security of recording video when someone approaches your door, even if they aren’t supposed to be there? All of this is possible, and not in some distant future but right now. In this blog post we’ll review the two premier brands and their three collective products, comparing the Ring Wi-Fi Video Doorbell versus SkyBell 2.0 Wi-Fi Video Doorbell versus the SkyBell HD Wi-Fi Video Doorbell. We’ll also peak at the up-coming August Doorbell Cam recently announced.

Schlage as a brand has been around almost a century, offering interior and exterior door knobs, handles, and deadbolts. And when it comes to home automation, they have been offering compatible products to consumers for some time. As such, it should come as no surprise they are one of the first in their industry to bring to market an Apple HomeKit compatible deadbolt. Let’s check out their new Schlage Sense device in this quick-look blog post!